According to five people familiar with the initiative, SpaceX is developing a network of hundreds of surveillance satellites under a classified contract with a U.S. intelligence agency. This shows how national security agencies and the space corporation founded by billionaire Elon Musk are becoming more closely connected.
According to the sources, SpaceX’s Starshield business subsidiary is developing the network as part of a $1.8 billion contract with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence organization that oversees spy satellites, which was inked in 2021.
The proposals demonstrate SpaceX’s level of participation in U.S. military and intelligence endeavors and point to a larger Pentagon commitment to large-scale low-Earth orbit satellite systems intended to assist ground forces.
Starlink Spy Contract: Revolutionizing U.S. Intelligence Gathering
The effort, if successful, would greatly improve the U.S. government’s and military’s capacity to identify possible targets practically anywhere in the world with speed and accuracy, according to the sources.
According to the sources, the deal starts a new chapter regarding the use of Starlink satellite communication in the conflict in Ukraine and reflects the intelligence community’s growing confidence in a business whose owner has engaged in conflict and controversy with the Biden administration. The Wall Street Journal revealed in a February article that a $1.8 billion classified Starshield contract existed with an unidentified intelligence agency, but the program’s goals were not stated.
The NRO is the espionage agency that Musk’s business is collaborating with, according to Reuters reporting, which for the first time reveals that the SpaceX contract is for a potent new spy system with hundreds of satellites with Earth-imaging capabilities that can operate as a swarm in low orbits.
When the new satellite network will go live and whether other businesses are involved in the scheme under separate contracts were not disclosed to Reuters.
The largest satellite operator in the world, SpaceX, did not reply to many requests for information on the contract, its part in it, or specifics of satellite launches. A request for comment was forwarded to SpaceX and the NRO by the Pentagon.
SpaceX’s Stealthy Satellite Contract with the NRO Unveiled
The NRO stated in a statement that it is working to construct a sophisticated satellite system and that it has relationships with other government agencies, businesses, universities, and countries. However, the NRO chose not to comment on the information provided by Reuters regarding the degree of SpaceX’s involvement in the project.
“The National Reconnaissance Office is developing the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen,” stated a spokeswoman.
According to three of the individuals, since 2020, SpaceX has flown about a dozen prototypes together with other satellites on its Falcon 9 rockets. Several SpaceX flights have been shown to have placed satellites, which the government and the corporation have never recognized, according to a U.S. official database of objects in orbit.
It was confirmed by two sources that there were Starshield network prototypes. Since they were not allowed to disclose the U.S. government initiative, all of the sources requested to remain nameless.
A Military Satellite Network for Comprehensive Earth Observation
The Pentagon already uses SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets to transport military payloads into orbit, making it a major client. According to one of the individuals, Starshield’s prototype satellite was launched in 2020 as part of a different, around $200 million deal that helped prepare SpaceX for the following $1.8 billion grant.
The proposed Starshield network is not to be confused with Starlink, SpaceX’s expanding commercial broadband constellation, which consists of over 5,500 satellites in orbit and offers businesses, governments, and consumers almost universal internet access.
Since the secret spy satellite network is intended to provide the most comprehensive, fast, and persistent monitoring of Earthly operations, it is one of the most sought-after space capabilities by the U.S. government.
In addition to being the creator and CEO of Tesla (TSLA.O), Musk also owns the social media company X and opens new tabs. He has sparked innovation in space but has angered some Biden administration officials due to his previous ownership of Starlink in Ukraine.
where the military of Kyiv uses it for secure communications during the conflict with Russia. There was hostility between Musk and the US government as a result of his control over Starlink in a combat zone, which was not exercised by the US military. Numerous Reuters articles have documented the impact that Musk’s industrial operations including those at SpaceX have had on employees and customers.
